Rhett stared: Holy hell, the white shirt had his own massive wanted poster printed on it.
A Pirate King-themed pain shirt????
After reluctantly signing, the guard finally snapped out of it. I hope you really just realized now.
"Lord Rhett! King Neptune has been waiting for you for a long time! Ah, my brain—the moment I saw you, I was just too excited!"
Rhett broke out in a cold sweat, laughing awkwardly. "Ahahaha, I get it, I get it."
Perona floated up beside him, whispering, "They seem… really welcoming?"
Rhett smugly rubbed his head—he had played a part in Fish-Man Island's current prosperity, after all.
Neptune—now the king of Fish-Man Island—personally greeted them at the gates of the Ryugu Palace.
Even more imposing than in his youth, he wore a crown and wielded a golden trident, yet his eyes still held the same fiery determination as before.
"Big Bro Rhett!" Neptune strode forward and pulled Rhett into a crushing bear hug.
Rhett stared at Neptune: ??? Bro, did you chug fertilizer or something??
"Finally, you're here!"
Rhett was pressed against Neptune's chest in a suffocating embrace.
He frantically patted Neptune's arm, careful not to hurt him, and wheezed, "Let go, let go—I'm gonna pass out."
Neptune released him with a booming laugh. "All thanks to your guidance back then! Before my father passed, he said Fish-Man Island's progress was only possible because someone had the guts to yell sense into him."
Perona looked utterly shocked, glancing between the heavily bearded Neptune and the long-haired, dashing Rhett. "Lord Rhett is older than Uncle Neptune????"
The poor girl's worldview had just shattered.
Inside the banquet hall, crystal chandeliers illuminated a lavish spread of deep-sea delicacies. Neptune raised his glass and declared, "To the Roger Pirates! To the saviors who changed Fish-Man Island's fate!"
As the crowd drank, Rhett noticed a stone monument in the corner of the hall, engraved with names—fallen fish-man warriors who had fought against the slave trade.
"We haven't been idle all these years," Neptune followed his gaze and explained. "Fisher Tiger formed a defense force dedicated to hunting slave ships. The World Government sent CP9 and the Marines to suppress us, but we—"
He grinned, revealing shark-like teeth. "—drove them back."
Rhett studied Neptune—no trace of the meekness from the original timeline remained, only confidence.
Perona gasped, covering her mouth. "That's incredible!"
"Not entirely," Neptune shook his head. "But we forced their retreat by making it clear we'd take them down with us."
He pointed upward at the bubble membrane. "We told the Marines—if they dared attack, we'd destroy the island's supporting bubbles and let the entire place sink to the seabed."
Rhett raised an eyebrow. "Playing dirty—smart."
"No," Neptune's eyes flashed ruthlessly. "We meant it. My father went into that negotiation ready to die."
After the feast, Neptune led Rhett to the highest point of Ryugu Palace, overlooking the entire island. Under the night sky, Fish-Man Island's lights twinkled like stars.
"Now, the problem is pirates trying to make a name for themselves by trampling over us," Neptune sighed. "Since the slave trade was banned, traffickers have dwindled, but pirates have multiplied—they want to use Fish-Man Island as their stepping stone to infamy."
Rhett scoffed. "Just sink the 'sightseeing' pirates. Problem solved."
Neptune shook his head. "We don't want to return to isolation. So—" He pulled out a document. "We formed the 'Deep Sea Defense Force,' maintained jointly by fish-men, merfolk, and human pirates willing to follow our rules."
The document prominently listed collaborators: the Whitebeard Pirates, even a few Revolutionary Army contacts.
Neptune bowed slightly. "We also hope to cooperate with your crew. We're prepared to offer annual compensation."
Rhett eyed him skeptically.
Neptune seemed to anticipate his question. "Don't misunderstand, Big Bro Rhett. This isn't submission—it's mutual benefit. Leveraging your reputation ensures stable trade, attracts more merchants, and we'll share profits with you. Besides, we still need time to develop."
Rhett whistled. "So you've learned to 'borrow influence.' Not bad. Crimson Dawn accepts your proposal."
Just then, little Shirahoshi peeked timidly from behind a corner.
She's so tiny now—how the hell does she grow so big by Luffy's time?
"Shirahoshi, show me around Fish-Man Island," Rhett said. The girl fidgeted, glancing at her mother.
Otohime nodded gently, sensing no malice from Rhett. "Go on. Just be back by dinner."
Rhett carried Shirahoshi while walking with Perona down Coral Avenue.
Fish-men along the way watched with a mix of awe and curiosity—who'd have thought the infamous Crimson Dawn captain, Rhett, would let two little girls braid his hair?
Shirahoshi pointed the way as Rhett indulged in shopping sprees until evening.
Then, she whispered in his ear, "Big Bro Rhett… I heard Shirley can see the future!"
Shirley's probably still a brat right now. Rhett feigned surprise. "Really? That amazing?"
Shirahoshi nodded solemnly. "But it's too late today."
Rhett chuckled. "Then let's make a promise. Next time I visit, you'll take me to see her, okay?"
A Pirate King's promise—those who know, know.
Shirahoshi beamed. "Promise! Now let's go home."
Adjusting the girls for comfort, Rhett grinned. "Home we go!"
He returned to Ryugu Palace with Perona asleep on his shoulder and Shirahoshi drowsing in his arms.
Princess Otohime, who had been waiting, covered a laugh. "It seems they had quite the adventure."
Rhett tossed Perona aside—only for her to float midair, mumbling sleepily, "Higher, Lord Rhett…"
Shirahoshi rubbed her eyes and nuzzled into Otohime before suddenly tugging Rhett's sleeve. "Are you leaving tomorrow?"
Rhett ruffled her hair. "I'm a ruthless pirate, kid. Pirates don't stay in one place too long."
The real reason? Everywhere I go with these two, fans swarm me, screaming nonsense like 'I'm Lord Rhett's—'
This place is a black hole for dignity. Gotta bounce before more cringe piles up.
Otohime spoke softly. "Lord Rhett, you—"
"Another time," he cut her off.
As she watched him leave, Otohime noticed something—the infamous "Crimson Mist" madman…
…had a clumsily woven coral hairpin (courtesy of Shirahoshi) pinned to his sleeve and Perona's ghostly parasol dangling from his sword hilt.
"Lord Rhett truly is kind."
The next day, Shirahoshi clung to Rhett, tears streaming. Reluctantly, she finally let go.
Rhett patted her head. "Don't forget our promise."
The Bluma Jackson set sail once more.